It is hoped that roadworks in Oranmore will finish a week ahead of schedule. However, along with causing havoc for commuters over the past number of weeks, businesses in the area have suffered a major drop in trade and a local county councillor is calling for their rates bills to be eased as a gesture of goodwill.
The project, to facilitate water upgrade works, has led to Oranmore village being blocked off for the past number of weeks. Anybody who commutes to Galway via Oranmore in the mornings has been facing major tailbacks as the traffic, which usually travels through the village has been re-routed to the main N18.
Cllr Martina Kinane is welcoming the news that the project is ahead of schedule. "There has been great co-operation between Irish Water, Ward & Burke Contractors and Galway County Council over the last few weeks regarding the rehabilitation works in Oranmore. I am in regular contact with the contractors and have been informed that if works goes as planned this week, it would leave the project a week or more ahead of schedule.''
The Fianna Fáil councillor, is however, mindful of local businesses which have seen a major drop in footfall due to the temporary road closures and works. She wants Galway County Council to take some action to ease the burden on these traders. "I believe there is an onus on Galway County Council to provide a targeted support scheme immediately to support businesses particularly in Oranmore who are experiencing dramatic drop in footfall due to ongoing works.''
Cllr Kinane has tabled a motion to be considered by the local authority at next week's monthly council meeting. The motion proposes that the council generate a 'commercial rates credit scheme' to support business owners and occupiers that are financially impacted by infrastructure works/ road works carried out in their area that take more than two weeks.
